To all Christians!

Twas
the month
before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Christ, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

"Comatose" by Skillet (its the song playing)

I hate feeling like this
I'm so tired of trying to fight this
I'm asleep and all I dream of
Is waking to you
Tell me that you will listen
Your touch is what I'm missing
And the more I hide I realize
I'm slowly losing you
Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose
of you [Chorus:]
I don't wanna live I don't wanna breathe
'les I feel you next to me
you take the pain I feel
waking up to you never felt so real
I don't wanna sleep
I don't wanna dream
'cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make me feel
Waking up to you never felt so real
I hate living without you
Dead wrong to ever doubt you
But my demons lay in waiting
Tempting me away
Oh how I adore you
Oh how I thirst for you
Oh how I need you [Bridge:]
Breathing life
Waking up
My eyes Open up
Don't leave me alone

Friends

I have been pondering many things lately. I have been really thinking about what it means to be someones friend. We had a lesson this week during church that was geared toward Joseph Smith and what his friends meant to him and what he meant to his friends. Out of all his close friends, few remained true to him...including Heber C Kimball, Brigham Young and Willard Richards. Willard Richards who was one of Joseph's closest friends said to him that if they were going to hang Joseph, that he (W. Richards) would be hung in his stead. Now the big question was proposed...."Would you be hung for any of your friends?...or..would any of them be hung for you?" The answer is this...for me at least...I have several friends that I would be hung for and i believe at least half of them would be hung for me. Now obviously I would take a bullet for most anyone in a situation where a quick decision and action was required. But to make a pre meditated decision to actually be hung for someone...this is a whole new ball game. Now, I believe there are those that don't value their own lives, due to unhappiness and what not, that would maybe do it for someone simply because they don't care...but in general, most people value their lives and I believe would be very reluctant to have a hangman's noose wrapped around their neck and hung for everyone to see, just to spare the life of a friend. Like I said...I have a few that i would gladly do it for and maybe half would do it for me....I want my close friends to know that I appreciate everything they do for me and they know who they are. I love them like brothers. We should remember who are friends are and continue to strengthen one another and build that bond...I cherish my friendships and am thankful for my friends. I know Joseph Smith was the prophet of God and that he had important things to accomplish here on this Earth...But I know his close friends were willing to protect him with their lives because he was such a good friend.

AAAAAHHHHHH ARIZONA!

We're home!

Homeward Bound!

Missouri, its been great...but we are heading back to cactus country! So as some of you might have heard, we are coming back to Arizona baby. Things here in Missouri have been awesome. Life in the last year here has been educational. I have always said that Life experience is what matters. I am walking away from this experience here with a greater understanding of hard work and humility. As I have worked here in Missouri with my cousin John, We have had opportunity to get to know one another better and learn from each other. He has been inspirational to me and has taught me may valuable life lessons. I owe alot to him for the things which he has helped me with both spiritually and physically. The winds of change however have fallen upon our family and we are moving back to Arizona where I a surrounded by my friends and family and my network. I have some big ideas and plans. I have a re newed sense of direction and an optimistic outlook. This economy of ours can be overcome individually and with proper energy and positive outlook, success can be achieved. I am going to miss my beloved Royals, even though they are currently letting me down in the American League Central Division. I wish i had more time to see the Chiefs play at Arrowhead stadium. I have really enjoyed the Church History sites here and loved getting to understand the history here. I am grateful for my cousin John and Jen and their family for showing love and a welcoming spirit for me and my family. We will miss there presence and cherish the times her that we have had with this extended family. I will not however miss the cold icy winters here in Missouri. I look forward to the beautiful winters that Arizona offers. I look forward to the many many months of swimming in the pool. I look forward to spring training. I will miss the green grass and plant life here in Missouri, but I will not miss the mosquito's. I am ready for change. I am ready to take on the challenges before me. Lets do this! I have repaired my knee that has been a hindrance to me for about 2 years. I replaced my ACL and repaired my meniscus in my left knee. Things are looking up for me. I have new things in my life that excite me. Arizona is calling my name and I have to return to my roots. I cant wait to be back. The thought of it is like new found energy that has been lacking. I will no longer lay dormant, as i am about to rise up like the phoenix!. Be prepared for big things, because i see it to be so. Thanks Missouri for the experience...I will never forget. Arizona has a good football team if i remember right...hmmm..ill check into that..

Royals -VS- Yankees

So, one of the perks for me moving to Missouri is as many of you know my love for the Kansas City Royals. We had our first opportunity to go to a royals game. It wasnt the home season opener but it was the second home game against the much hated Yankees. It was a beautifal day to go and wear our blue and whites and support the team. The kids got their faces all painted up ad we were ready to go. We sat on the top row of the highest part of the grandstands as paying for 6 tickets is not cheap. but the kids didnt mind being in the nose bleed section. we ate our hoy dogs and cheered on the big blue and then we went down to check out the festivities around the newly rebuilt park. The stores and the kids play areas were awesome. We got our pictures taken with the statues of Frank White, Dick Howser and of course the man himself..George Howard Brett..the greatest hitter of all time. It was a fun family night and we look forward to many more Royals games this season.

Arizona

I see how it is. We leave Arizona and the Cards make the playoffs and go to the Superbowl no less. That figures! I am not gonna lie to you people....I think I have a mild case of the winter blues. I absolutely love it here in Missouri and I am growing quite fond of the new friends and such that i am making here. I do however miss the "what i used to think was cold" winters in Arizona. I can definitely manage it as this is really not that bad, however, when you take the icy streets and the cold wind and the dirty truck ( which everyone knows I hate!) and the chapped lips and the frozen pipes and the muddy floors and the slippery walkways (with bad knees) and the 3 layers of clothes and the non-starting motors...I tell ya kids...It really piles up!. Now I try harder than most, in my opinion, to always keep a positive outlook on things and be the "glass is half full" kind of guy...but when your water freezes and the glass cracks..does it really matter if it was half full or half empty? I am up late tonight with my insomnia, pondering a few things and I want to bring to light a few of these thoughts. I am amazed at the things that I thought were once black and white are now a little grey. I also am surprised about the things that were once grey in my mind, are now black and white. I am looking forward to things that are coming ahead and am very optimistic despite my sarcastic tone. I will take some more pictures and write some more in the near future. I must now get some sleep. Until then ....GO CARDINALS! GO B J PENN! and goodnight!